Lindley Center for STEM Education, Santa Rosa Junior College

Sonoma County has a deep connection with its 107-year-old junior college, a comprehensive, valued resource as the alma mater of multiple generations in the region and a welcoming beacon of hope to first generation college students. The development of the Lindley Center for STEM Education supports the college’s strategic goals to expand and emphasize its interdisciplinary curriculum and provide students with greater opportunities for workforce preparedness. Design and planning of the facility occurred when intersecting societal challenges raised the importance of creating educational spaces to cultivate belonging, mentorship, engagement, and holistic support for academic persistence.

The goals that emerged from a series of well-attended workshops resulted in a radically welcoming and innovative learning environment that invites curiosity towards science and engineering for all students, faculty, classified professionals, and visitors - highly visible, intimate, and collaborative spaces. Through the curriculum and building’s intentional design, SRJC intends to demystify achievement in STEM, increase transfer and career opportunities, while providing core skills for realizing limitless potential in future career pathways. Opened in 2024, the Lindley Center provides access to vital resources for student persistence like STEM focused tutoring programs, ample study areas, student/faculty collaboration spaces and opportunities for partnerships within the community.

One of the most popular places for students is the MESA Center (Math, Engineering and Science Achievement) that supports underrepresented students in STEM. Its highly visible entryway features pink walls and tinted glass for ease of wayfinding. In addition to study spaces, the center is designed for belonging with daylit views, comfortable furniture, cultural artwork, hot beverages, and a refrigerator for students to store lunches or access snacks. Over the past year, the MESA Center has grown to also house the HOPE (Health Occupation and Preparation Education) Program which supports historically underrepresented students pursuing health care careers, and the Avanzando Program, a federally funded Hispanic Serving Institution STEM grant that enhances educational supports for all students pursuing careers in STEM and health careers.

Transparency throughout showcases the science and engineering curriculum and abundant study/collaboration spaces highlight the collective and productive struggle of the academic journey. A broad central stadium stair serves as a “STEM ribbon” that weaves the building’s three levels by fostering interaction among faculty and students. The ground level features the Innovation Center, with hands-on interconnected “Design,” “Make,” and “Break” labs where students can iteratively creatively fabricate, test, and refine projects. Alongside the Center is an exterior display area that has maximum visibility at the edge of campus. Across the corridor, a large, flexible active learning space hosts a variety of STEM curriculum and broader engagement events that inspire K-12 students, and community partners with programmed activities that highlight the college’s wide offerings.

The strategic placement of the modern Lindley Center creates a new quad for interdisciplinary STEM learning on campus, a friendly juxtaposition with the pre-existing traditional architecture. The L-shaped plan delicately balances a dark brick facade with ample glazing while connecting light filled indoor spaces to outdoor rooms amid the lush tree-filled landscape. This inspirational setting provides inviting collaborative spaces and flexible event venues that are utilized and appreciated by the entire community. The result is a high functioning and interdisciplinary hub that demonstrates Santa Rosa Junior College’s resilience and the future of STEM education.